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opportunities for higher education through open access and distance learning courses. It was granted self-accrediting status in October 1996 and awarded university title in May 1997. Since 1993-94, the OUHK has been self-financing. In 1997, about 23 000 students were enrolled in 111 courses leading to sub-degree, degree and post-graduate qualifications in four schools, the School of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Business and Administration, School of Education, and School of Science and Technology, and a Centre for Continuing and Community Education. About 6 141 students have graduated from OUHK with a bachelor's degree.
Post-Secondary College
Hong Kong Shue Yan College, registered in 1976 under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, operates a four-year diploma programme. Its faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Commerce offer day and evening courses to 2 383 students. The college is a privately-funded institution and does not receive any direct subsidy but government financial assistance is available to its students in the form of grants and loans.
Adult Education
Many formal and informal opportunities are available for adults to study in their spare time, either for personal development or to update knowledge and skills relevant to their work. Private schools offer language, business and computer courses. The British Council, Alliance Francaise, Goethe-Institut, Dante Alighieri and the Japanese Consulate offer language courses.
During the year, the Education Department provided courses from primary to senior secondary levels to adult learners at 42 centres. It also subvented adult education programmes operated by non-governmental organisations.
Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education
The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education was set up by the government in May 1986 to promote civic awareness and responsibility in the community.
In 1997-98, it continued with the expanded educational programmes on equal opportunities and human rights. It also stepped up efforts in its educational programmes on promoting the Basic Law.
Major activities in 1997 included: an annual civic education roving exhibition featuring the Basic Law and human rights; media campaigns including radio and television announcements in the public interest, radio programmes, newspaper and other forms of advertisement, and free teleline stories to enhance public awareness of civic responsibilities, human rights and the Basic Law; a series of civic education reference materials including a human rights teaching kit for pre-school children, videos on human rights for children and adolescents, cartoon booklets on civic education and children's rights for pre-school children, videos, booklets and a CD- ROM on the Basic Law for youngsters and a civic education package for youth; and seminars on human rights.
The committee has allocated resources under the Community Participation Scheme to fund civic education projects organised by non-government organisations. It plans to launch a programme to strengthen civic education over the coming year, under the theme 'Hong Kong, Our Home', to help nurture the growth of a stronger understanding of the community and culture.
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